Jul 28, 2009, 10:13 GMT
Baiersbronn, Germany - It's only a distance of a kilometre from the secluded Huzenbacher lake 750 metres above sea level to the Seenblick vantage point 160 metres beyond but the steep ascent is not to be treated lightly.
The narrow path wends its way up through the Karwand mountain forest over roots, chunks of rock and muddy rivulets. The hikers are grateful for any opportunity for respite along the way and when the impressive Seltenbach waterfalls are in full cry there is every reason to stop and take some photographs.
'Come on, let's go and dam that river,' the kids cry and start collecting sticks and other natural materials for their scheme to alter the water's course. Meanwhile dad is wiping the sweat from his brow as mum turns to some Asian visitors who have come along for the strenuous stroll. 'Li, how do you like the Black Forest?' she asks. 'Well it's certainly nice and green,' replies Li.
There is truly no shortage of green on the slopes of the northern Black Forest in south-western Germany where the trees are numerous and the ground moist. Those who take a closer look will discover a more varied floral array and by July yellow is the dominant colour around the Huzenbacher lake. That's when the yellow pond lilies bloom, a 15-metre-wide girdle of them on the northern shore and the hikers flock here for an 'ice age excursion.'
That is the name of this particular 11-kilometre circular route which leads from Huzenbach in the Murg Valley up to the summit of the Karwand and back again through the neighbouring river valley. Huzenbach belongs to Baiersbronn in the Freudenstadt district of Baden-Wuerttemberg state. The area has a total of seven themed adventure routes which are marked as 'Himmelswege' - a good translation of the German name is 'stairways to heaven.'
With easy-to-follow routes these are ideal for hikers who want to set off into the wild blue yonder without having to consult maps or guides beforehand, said deputy tourism director Anja Schneider.
The trails are the result of a local initiative designed to make the hiking experience hereabouts as well known as the local cuisine for which Baiersbronn is already noted. The holiday region boasts three top chefs with seven Michelin citations between them.
'What are we going to do when our top chefs are no longer there?' was the question which the organisers posed themselves in 2003. 'For a start we cut down the network of paths by half, took out the ordinary forest tracks and created, new more varied links,' said Anja Schneider. The second phase involved the introduction of a unified Black Forest signposting system for hikers and a third consisted of recommending places to stop and eat along the way.
'In the beginning people were hesitant about getting involved until award-winning chef Hermann Bareis took charge of the cuisine at the Satteleihuette alpine cabin. Now it is hugely popular,' said Schneider.
The combination of good food and robust nature is a chief feature of Baiersbronn. There are themed walks, including ones to show visitors the wealth of herbs which grow in the region. Those taking part can discover, smell and taste local wildflower varieties.
'Finding and gathering things for yourself really contributes to a better quality of life,' said guide Lotte Treiber-Beutler and she invites participants to join her in a tasty snack. The slices of bread on offer are garnished with wild garlic, common sorrel and daisies, and they taste delicious with a refreshing cup of thyme or stinging nettle tea.
For those seeking to heighten the culinary experience local chef Friedrich Klumpp offers six-course meals in the great outdoors: 'Once we get to the forest I just put on my chef's gear and start preparing the herbs for the salad,' he said.
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